The White House has refused to condemn Israel for shooting dead at least 55 Palestinian protesters or even call for restraint, instead seeking to put the blame on Hamas and describing the protests as a “gruesome propaganda attempt”. As condemnation poured in from around the world over the latest violence carried out by Israeli forces on the border with Gaza, White House spokesman Raj Shah said the administration believed Israel had the right to defend itself. “We’re aware of the reports of continued violence in Gaza today,” said Mr Shah, the deputy press secretary.